Chapters (29)
Savannah’s freckled face flushed with the sweetest blush I had ever seen. “This isn’t really the time for heavy things, is it?”
Without another word, she walked out the door. I lay on the bed, the cool cloth covering my eyes and as much as I felt like death, I didn’t wish for it. Because Savannah loved me, unlucky Theo. She had told me as much right after she watched me throw up.
Footsteps roused me moments later, and I whipped off the washcloth to see a still sheepish Savannah, carrying a clean bucket.
“Come here,” I demanded, holding out my hand.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’ll just give you your bucket and go. I’ll check in on you though.”
“I am about to feel like I’m dying for God knows how long. Please do this one thing for me, and come hold my hand.” I attempted to smile, but my face felt too weak to move correctly.
All the same, she came over, rolling her eyes. “You’re going through withdrawal, Theo. It’s not exactly like you have an incurable illness.”
I ignored her, holding her hand and looking up into eyes I could stare at for the rest of my life. “I love you, too,” I murmured.
Her cheeks went red again, and she covered her face with her free hand. “God, I am such an idiot. It just slipped out. I have the worst fucking timing.”
“Stop.” I pulled her hand away from her face, forcing her to look at me. “You told me when I needed to hear it most. It was perfect timing.”
“Really?” she asked, a small smile curving her lips.
I nodded. “Absolutely. Now say it again.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too. Always and forever.” I squeezed her hand tightly. “Now hand me the goddamn bucket. I’m going to be sick again.”
Savannah didn’t leave my side for a week. She was next to me the entire time I shook and trembled, when I cried for my parents, and when I soaked the bed with sweat. She didn’t leave when I cursed the house, cursed her, cursed everything that had led to my being in that bed, getting sober. Every night she slept next to me, whispering words of encouragement into my ear. Every day she wet cool cloths and rested them on my head, and when things got really bad, she held me close and told me she loved me. I clung to those moments for all they were worth, small moments of absolute joy amongst the pain.
Somehow the worst week of my life also turned out to be the best.